Shimla. As the World Hepatitis Day is being celebrated in all the districts of Himachal Pradesh, the rapid screening of viral hepatitis is being done by two Referral and 12 District referral Labs under National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) in the state. Testing and medicine for the eligible patients are free of cost under the program. This was stated by the Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Health and Family Welfare Sanjay Awasthi here today.
He said that there were two Model Treatment besides 12 Treatment Centers notified in the State for the screening and treatment of Hepatitis A, B, C, D & E Patients. Regular Screening of expectant women, High Risk Groups (Prisoners, Injecting Drug Users, Truckers, Transgender, etc.) will be carried out.
Sh. Awasthi said that viral load testing was being done free of cost in the State. After viral load testing of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Patients, the patients found eligible for treatment are further provided treatment at State Notified Treatment Centers. The drugs will be provided to the patients free of cost under the program.
A spokesperson of health department said that NVHCP of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India is an integrated initiative for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis in the country to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which aims to end viral hepatitis by 2030. The theme of World Hepatitis Day this year is “Combat Hepatitis” Join Hands – accelerating response by integration & decentralization, he added.
He highlighted that NVHCP is a comprehensive plan covering the entire gamut of Hepatitis A, B, C, D & E, and the whole range from prevention, detection and treatment to mapping treatment outcomes.
